Multicultural Travel News

"Orgullo" is Spanish for "Pride," and on Saturday, October 1, the first-ever "Celebrate Orgullo" event celebrates the diverse cultural heritage and contributions of South Florida's LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) Hispanic community. The event will feature musical performances, folkloric dance, celebrity guests, drag performers, refreshments and vendor booths representing both the non-for-profit and business community. With Hispanics in Miami-Dade County comprising 65% of the total population, (2010 U.S. Census), Hispanic Heritage Month is widely popular in South Florida, with a myriad of events taking place throughout the month long celebration. There are a significant amount of LGBT and LGBT-friendly supporters in South Florida, and many are Hispanic. Coincidently, the theme for Hispanic Heritage Month 2011 is: "Heritage, Diversity, Integrity and Honor: The Renewed Hope of America," therefore it is especially timely that the first Celebrate Orgullo will truly celebrate the diversity of Miami's community. Celebrate Orgullo® is a grassroots effort, conceived and implemented by a group of volunteers who decided that it was time for Miami Beach to lead the way in honoring the cultural contributions of the LGBT Hispanic community. For further information, visit www.celebrateorgullo.com.  Read more >>

The New African American Civil War Museum celebrated its grand opening on July 18th. The new location at 1925 Vermont Avenue NW in Washington, DC is directly across from the African American Civil War Memorial, which highlights the story of the 209,145 African American Soldiers who served during the American Civil War. The African American Civil War Monument and the new museum site has added greatly to the master narrative about Civil War slavery and justice by injecting primary information on the heroic role of blacks in helping Lincoln to win the war to keep America united under one flag. For more information call 202-667-2667.  Read more >>

To celebrate its colorful history and today's vibrant communities, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau has launched an Urban Experience Guide providing insightful vacation ideas, tips and planning resources for the culturally diverse traveler. There are over 120 countries represented and 60 languages spoken in the area, making it the most diverse destination in Florida. Greater Fort Lauderdale, a friendly beach resort, is filled with history and multicultural influences that are visible as the city of Fort Lauderdale celebrates its Centennial throughout 2011. The area continues to see increases in multicultural meetings, reunions, and tourism. Exciting festivals, music, and dance concerts catering to all ages, occur year-round celebrating African-American and Caribbean culture. The guide offers informative commentary on the significant contributions African Americans have and continue to make in Broward County. The 32 page Urban Experience Guide lists attractions, activities, and restaurants to fit everyone's personality. For more information on the Urban Experience Guide and destination-wide multicultural experiences, visit www.sunny.org/multicultural.                 Read more >>

Denver is host to a variety of multicultural summer festival events, in addition to Denver's great variety of Latin restaurants and nightclubs. Enjoy a night of Mexican, Cuban or Latin American food before going Salsa dancing at a variety of live Latin music nightclubs. Denver's Great Ethnic and Multicultural Events include: "Colorado Black Arts Festival," "Dragon Boat Festival," "Estes Park Scottish Irish Festival," and "Fiestas Patrias". Great concerts include Carlos Santana, George Lopez, Marco Antonio Solis, Ana Gabriel, Banda el Recodo, and Banda Los Recoditos. From Navajo textiles and Plains beadwork to modern bronze sculpture, Denver is paying homage to its Native American ancestry this summer through special exhibits on display at the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Botanic Gardens. Denver ends the summer celebrating diversity and Irish culture with one of the largest Celtic festivals in the nation on September 8th and celebrating Mexican Independence Day on September 17th. For more information visit www.visitdenver.com.   Read more >>

Safford, AZ Celebrates its 5th Annual SalsaFest on Friday & Saturday September 23 & 24. The SalsaFest is a celebration of everything Salsa including an opportunity to win prizes in the Salsa Challenge. Visitors will enjoy live entertainment and sample some of the greatest salsas in the Southwest. SalsaFest activities include a salsa making contest, Salsa music & dancing, food demonstrations, chili roasting, an evening hot air balloon, and Jalapeño & Salsa Eating competitions. The SalsaFest is all about terrific Mexican food and the hometown friendliness that you will find in many small Southern Arizona communities and where you can find a dozen Mexican restaurants, a family owned tortilla factory, and a local chile farm. Also returning for the second year are the Chihuahua Races. Additional Information is available at www.SalsaTrail.com or by calling the Graham County Chamber of Commerce at 888.837.1841 or 928.428.2511.  Read more >>

Now in its sixth year, the Toronto Film Showcase returns on September 7-17th, 2011. The film festival includes workshops, screenings, networking sessions, and other activites celebrating the burgeoning film and television sector in the Caribean. The Toronto showcase aims to raise the profile of Carribean filmmakers and their products, support the growth of a vibrqant world-class Carribean film and televsion industry, and serve as a platform for promoting the Caribbean as a premier warm weather travel destination and location for film production. Visit http://caribbeantales-worldwide.com.   Read more >>

Rihanna has signed a multi-year deal with the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) to exclusively promote her hometown island of Barbados as a tourist destination. The three year partnership officially kicked off in Bridgetown, Barbados on August 5, 2011 with a full-length concert of her current "Loud" tour produced by the BTA and Roc Nation. For more information visit www.visitbarbados.org or call the Barbados Tourism Authority at 800-221-9831.   Read more >>